Electrical pickup / contactor for electric trains and busses

ABSTRACT

The invention is a new electric-contactor suitable for application to electrically driven apparatus, such as model trains, wherein electricity that is available to a train car&#39;s wheels can now be further conducted by low friction rollers located between the train&#39;s wheels and a train car; thereby reducing friction and eliminating the drag and wear from carbon brushes presently utilized for this purpose, and thus enabling greater efficiency in the overall operation of the train, or other mobile apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a new device for the transfer ofelectric power from a train's wheels directly to a train car or othersimilar apparatus via low-friction rollers contacting the wheel(s) ofthe towed car, and a method of reducing and adjusting any friction ordrag on the mobile (rolling) apparatus. In particular, the new deviceuses free-running contact rollers to conduct electricity from anelectrically charged source, such as train wheels in contact with anelectrically charged track, into the mobile apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

The need for reduced friction and drag on trailered or towed train carsor other mobile apparatus which are pulled by an electrically drivenengine in contact with train tracks deriving power from an exteriorsource is recognized as a priority for increased efficiency inoperations. Present methods of electrical pickup include brushes orscrapers torsioned between the mobile apparatus and the electric track.These methods produce considerable drag on the mobile apparatus, wearout, required regular maintenance, and generally result in reducedefficiency and reduced free rolling motion that might otherwise obtainto the apparatus. Further, these methods of power transfer create wearon the track, train wheel or axle, and are frequently the cause of powerinterruptions and “flickering” in the mobile apparatus.

The wear produced upon or by existing contactors, either to portions ofthe mobile apparatus or to the track is objectionable, requiringfrequent cleaning and replacement of the brushes, scrapers, and to someextent the track itself. Combined with the innate resistance, orfriction, inherent in the application of such devices, is theirinability to maintain a constant electrical contact, hence producingpower interruptions which can lead to the reduced life expectancy of thepowered components they feed, such as lights, motors and switches.

What is needed therefore, is a practical, cost-effective, low-frictiondevice to conduct power from to the mobile apparatus, without furtherdeleterious contact with the track.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of a free-wheeling conductive rollerdevice that contacts THE WHEEL(S) of a train car, preferably intendedfor an electric model train, so that the otherwise non-locomotive carsmay obtain to electricity derived from the train wheels riding onpowered track(s), to provide electricity for lights, switches and motorsthat may be in said cars.

Further, the invention will allow consistent contact with theelectrically charged wheel(s) in a manner that reduces friction,flickering from power interruptions, and is not subject to contaminationor oxidation of the tracks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as shownfrom the underside of a railroad car, in contact with the train'swheels.

FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a new electric-contactor device suitable forapplication to electrically driven apparatus, such as model trains,whereby electricity is conveyed from the car's wheels, which ride on thetrack, to individual cars. The new invention provides a path for sourceelectricity to the car, while reducing friction on the wheels, thusenabling greater efficiency in the overall operation of the train.

The invention consists of electrically conductive rollers, such asbrass, affixed to a metal axle located within a metal housing, carriedon a mounting plate that can be attached to the underside of a rail car“truck” in a manner so as to provide constant contact between theroller(s) and the electrically conducting train's wheels by use of anadjustable tensioner or spring.

The design and configuration of the device is such as to allow for a lowcoefficient of friction while maintaining constant contact with theconducting train's wheels, by use of an adjustable tension spring thatmaintains relatively consistent contact pressure between the roller(s)and the train's wheels.

Electricity is conducted from the charged rail, through the train'swheels to the roller(s), axle and housing, and thus through an electricconductor (pigtail) to provide an electrical feed to on-board equipment.

In accordance with the above-described mechanics of how this inventionworks to conduct electricity available from a power source to the mobileapparatus, the method of attachment of the device to a train wheel truckwill vary in accordance with the particular application.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device, being the“roller-axle-housing-conductor-tensioning assembly” (hereafter“Roller-Contactor”), is made a part of, or attached to, a mounting plateconfigured to be affixed to the underside of a rail car truck (wheelassembly) by a mounting screw, with any of a variety of mounting blocks(spacers) to accommodate various models of wheel assemblies.

In another embodiment of the invention, the device is mounted in ahousing suitable to contain the Roller-Contactor, for the applicationintended.

The present invention can be carried out on wide variety of sizes from adistance of only a few millimeters between the rollers to several feetfor large apparatus.

The Roller-Contactor can be adapted to a wide variety of applications,including but not limited to model railroad cars, as well as to fullsize industrial and commercial vehicles.

While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it isunderstood that those skilled in the art may conceive modificationsand/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and describedherein; including models of the device suitable for attachment tosliding doors and such where it is desirable to convey electricity froma power source to an electrically operated sign, fixture or appliancethereon. Any such modifications or variations that fall within thepurview of this description are intended to be included therein as well.It is understood that the description herein is intended to beillustrative only and is not intended to be limitative.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.2. With reference to FIG. 2, the invention consists of an electricallyconductive metal roller 1, secured upon a metal axle 2, which is encasedin a metal axle housing 3. The metal roller(s) 1 are affixed to themetal axle 2 by washer(s) 4 and nuts(s) 5. Axle housing 3 is attached toa slotted, adjustable mounting plate 6. Mounting plate 6 is secured tothe underside of a railroad car truck (railroad car wheel assembly) withmounting screw 13, which protrudes through washer 12, electrical pigtail11, tension spring 10, and washer 9, thusly through sleeve 8 and intomounting block 7. Mounting block 7 together with sleeve 8 are sized tofit various railroad car configurations, and may be affixed to therailroad car wheel truck by an appropriate adhesive or fastening device,such as a screw 13.

It should be understood that electrical energy is transferred from theelectric rail to the train's wheel(s) and thus to the roller(s); andfrom the roller(s) to the axle, housing, tensioning spring and pigtail,respectively. Where the applied voltage is DC (direct current), two suchassemblies shall be required per rail car in order to contact each railtrack, enabling completion of the electrical circuit.

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention fully assembledand in contact with the train's wheels 14, as viewed from the bottom ofthe truck assembly.

It should be noted that tubing 8 and mounting block 7 may be of variouslengths and sizes to accommodate attachment to various railroad wheeltrucks; and that the slotted mounting plate 6 can likewise be suitablysized. Longitudinal adjustment is made possible by the elongated slot inmounting plate 6 and the corresponding shape of the tensioning spring 10to enable secure, low-friction contact with the train's wheel(s).

It is therefore seen that the roller set(s) of this invention can besized to match a wide variety of model cars, trains and busses, as wellas industrial, commercial and municipal applications. The electricalcontinuity is conveyed to the car or other mobile apparatus with theleast amount of friction or wear, providing an improved method ofelectrical conductivity and reduced drag on propulsive motors and gearsof the engine tasked with pulling these cars.

Contacting the train's wheels, rather than the track, obviates the needto constantly remove dirt and oxidation from the track. Further, due tothe Roller-Contactor being in contact with several wheels on each car,flickering is significantly reduced and the life expectancy of lightsand other electrical devices on the car is extended.

1) A device for conducting electricity from an electric train wheel,rail, track or cable wire where the electricity is picked-up by anelectrical contact roller for conveyance to a mobile apparatus,comprising: a) a device comprised of a electrically conductive roller orrollers riding on an electrically conductive axle situate within anelectrically conductive axle housing; b) a device wherein the saidroller-axle-housing apparatus is affixed to or made a part of a mountingplate; c) a device wherein there is an adjustable tension springmechanism to control roller contact pressure; d) a device wherein theelectricity is conveyed via the device to a feed wire. 2) A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the mounting plate and roller-axle-housingassembly is sized to fit various model railway gauges. 3) A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the mounting plate is of a conductivematerial. 4) A device according to claim 1 wherein the mounting plate isof a non-conducting material. 5) A device according to claim 1 whereinapparatus is enclosed in an external housing designed to be affixed to awand or pole. 6) A device according to claim 5 wherein the externalhousing is insulated from the roller-axle-housing apparatus. 7) A deviceaccording to claim 2 wherein the mounting assembly is designed tocontain the roller-axle-housing assembly. 8) A device according to claim2 wherein the apparatus is sized to fit industrial and commercialapparatus.